Can you wash Birkenstocks?

[PDR]

That's it really.... can you?

Mine are ponging a bit....

I see on the website you can buy some cream to rub into the cork and reseal it but not sure how that will get the stink out!

Mmmm good question.

I had a random child at a park fall over and pour her sticky melted Calipo into my Birkenstock last week. I rinsed it out under the tap and put it on again - had no choice! - and it seems to be OK. So, clearly, just getting wet doesn't harm them.

I wonder whether you could rub the inside of the shoe with leather cleaner?

Or you could try dusting inside over-generously with talc and then walking around in them. The idea being hat the talc absorbs the grease and sweat, and you then brush the stuff out with a stiff, clean, dry brush.

If you wear your Birks barefoot, try rubbing the soles of your feet with a freshly-cut slice of lemon every day. It has to be freshly cut, not more than a few minutes previously, and you have to dust your feet with talc afterwards otherwise they are sticky. The fresh lemon is a fairly effective deodorant.

I don't think you can, isn't part of them made of leather? Mine says the sole is or something. Have you tried sprinkling some baking soda and lavender on them and leaving it overnight?

Not leather cleaner! Suede and nubuck cleaner.

Yes you can. I had a thread earlier in the summer and with the watchful eyes of a few mumsnetters washed mine on a quick 30 deg wash. They are fine. I put mine in a laundry net - a pillow-case would just be as effective so they don't bang around in the drum.

I knew there was a thread - I think I even commented on it but couldn't find it by searching juststrudel

Might try baking soda first... that sounds like a good idea.

Unfortunately my washing machine doesn't have a "quick wash" cycle but it does have a 30 degree 35 min one - so we think that would be ok? I can reduce the spin manually to a very low speed too.

I didn't think you could. Don't they smell more when you get them wet?

How about wiping them throughly with baby wipes?

I was going to say baby wipes, that is what I use and they have survived.

I've put all the Birkies I've owned in the washing machine once they get pongy. Also put mine in a pillow case, in with a load, not on their own, on a 30deg quicker wash, no spin. They've never fallen apart or been ruined afterwards.

I wipe mine with baby wipes, might try the quick wash next...

I only wash shoes when its a choice between throwing them away because they are too revolting to wear or trying them in the wash. I'm usually lucky! I have also washed pale coloured plastic handbags when they are very grubby.

Great info - I'm washing mine this weekend now